Former Minister of Finance, Friday Jumbe newly formed New Labour Party (NLP) – A splinter group of Malawi’s former ruling United Democratic Front (UDF) of former president Bakili Muluzi – has been registered by the Registrar of Political Parties with former Speaker of Parliament, Sam Mpasu named interim vice-president.

The party which opted for Red as its colour and a burning torch (muuni) as symbol has since shifted its launch slated this January to next month. Its slogan is ‘Party of the People’.

LP was registered on January 9, 2013 making it a 46th political party in the country, largely dominated by about six main active parties.

In an interview with Nyasa Times, Jumbe said Mpasu has been made interim vice-president while doubling as the party’s publicity secretary with himself as interim president.

Jumbe: Red hot leader of Labour Party

“We have not yet formed an interim executive committee, but as of now, I am the interim president with Mr. Mpasu as vice. The full executive will be announced during the launch next month possibly here in Blantyre,” said Jumbe.

Some of the notable faces in the party include Ziliro Chibambo, former Member of Parliament Nicholas Kachingwe, Henry Nkulichi and Joseph Kubwalo.

He said the formation of Labour Party (LP) will bring total transformation economically, socially and politically once they get into power.

“Our slogan is in line with our core values to serve everyone. Labour Party focuses on labour rights. We would like to ensure better wages and working conditions for workers. We also focus on redistribution of wealth and land redistribution as well as citizen empowerment”.

He added that the party is currently setting up grassroots structures with some already set up in some districts in southern and central regions and will move to northern region soon.

“In the south we have committees in Thyolo, Mulanje, Chiradzulu, Chikhwawa, Zomba and Blantyre. In central region we are in Lilongwe, Dowa and Kasungu currently working on Ntchisi and Khotakota. We will move to northern region just soon before the launch. The response has been overwhelming, a sign that people have welcomed the Labour Party as their party”.

Jumbe rejected suggestions that he has formed the new party out of frustration as the UDF organised a convention which he boycotted and the 34-year-old Atupele Muluzi was elected National Chairman and automatic presidential candidate for the UDF in the 2014 elections.